My second date with the Data Analyst was on a Saturday at the end of February. The plan was to meet at 9:00 a.m. at Spencer Beach Park and hike a few beaches down to Mau'umae. He texted me that he had been using Google Earth to scope the best secluded beach parks. Then he used the wink emoji.
His comment made me both giggle and cringe. I giggled, because I figured he was referencing "making out" on a secluded beach. I cringed, because what if he meant something else? Is it really wise to go to a secluded beach on a second date? I figured he probably didn't intend to kill me, so it was fine. Plus, I told my sister where I was going, and she can track my phone.
I woke up at 7 am and packed my beach bag and cooler. I tried on all my swimsuits. I went with the dark blue-teal one piece with the ruffle around the neck line. I tried on all my swimsuit cover ups. I chose the black one with yellow hibiscus. I wanted something that matched the swimsuit, but I didn't have anything.
The Data Analyst and I hadn't discussed how long we'd stay at the beach. I packed a days worth of food and drinks for both of us. I packed the snorkel gear and a frisbee. I was ready for beach fun.
I packed up and drove across Saddle Road. The Data Analyst and I met up and headed out for our hike. I was excited, because I'd never been on that hike before. The trail was flat, well-marked, and shady. That's my favorite kind of hike.
When we arrived at Mau'umae I gasped. It was such a beautiful beach. There was clean white sand and flat blue green water. The Data Analyst looked around and said, "It's a little crowded. There's another beach a little further down."
I said I was fine staying at Mau'umae. He said he'd like to hike further down. For a moment, I thought we wouldn't be able to make it at all, because to hike around it seemed like you had to cross jagged lava rock on a cliff face. I had a days worth of food in a cooler and my back pack. Plus, I am clumsy. I told him I couldn't do it.
We hiked back down the cliff. Back at the beach, I saw another trail leading back away from the ocean. I asked, "Do you think this is the trail?"
It was, so we carried on. We hiked around an amazing beach house and back up to the ocean side. After not to long we arrived at another cove. It was empty. The water was rough. The sand was not as white. There was shade.
I picked a spot in the shade and laid out my towel. I grabbed us each a drink from the cooler. I asked the The Data Analyst to help me with my sunscreen. He complied. Then he commenced kissing my lips and my neck line. After a while he started tracing his finger around the line of my swimsuit.
I thought about the movie Cocktail. Hadn't I wished my whole life to be like Elizabeth Shue and Tom Cruise making out in the waterfall in Jamaica? Here I was. So, why did I feel sad?
In that moment with this nerdy boy kissing me, all I could think about was Average A. I wished I were on that beach with Average A. The familiar pang of longing and sadness opened up in my chest. I tried to push the thought out of my mind. I asked the Data Analyst if he wanted to swim.
We went out into the water. It was pretty rough for my liking. I jumped onto the Data Analyst and had him hold me in the water. He did it, but I felt bad. It couldn't have been easy. I got down.
After 30 minutes at sea, I told him I was getting dizzy and we went back to shore. We lay under the shady tree on our towels. I used his arm as a pillow. It was quiet. I asked him questions. He answered them. Another couple on the other side of the cove walked out into the ocean for their Cocktail moment.
At 1:30 pm we packed up and hiked back to Spencer Beach Park. The Data Analyst had to help his dad at work that afternoon. We kissed goodbye and he hopped into his car and took off.
I hiked back to Mau'umae. I sat in the shade behind a party of six friends. They had beer and weed and cigarettes. I wanted so badly to bum a cigarette from them.
I people watched. I swam. I read a book. I took selfies. Just before sunset I hiked out and headed home.
The Data Analyst and I haven't had any dates since. He texts every once in a while, but it's nothing of note. I've been to his side of the island twice since, but he wasn't able to meet up. He was going to come to my side of the island this past weekend, but his car was broken.
I don't even know his last name. For all I know, he could be married. Everything he's told me about himself, which isn't much, could be a lie. I told Average A about my date and he said, "You're going to end up with your head in a box."
I don't think there will be any more dates with the Data Analyst. My search for dates in paradise continues...
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